Saturday night there is more than just an undisputed Heavyweight Championship on the line at UFC 252. In just one fight there is bragging rights, legacy, all-time rank, and for the winner, the claim to being arguably the greatest Heavyweight fighter in MMA History.
Between two future HOF’s Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier, there is plenty of history above and beneath the surface. With a combined 24 UFC wins, 16 UFC Finishes, 7 UFC title defenses, and a 1-1 record between the two, each have scored a KO over the other heading into one of the biggest fights in MMA history this Saturday in a trilogy to end all trilogies.
48 hours to go. Man, I cannot wait for Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier 3. The hype is real 🏆 #UFC252 pic.twitter.com/x2S8ag1gQb
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) August 14, 2020
For about 4 rounds of fight time between Daniel and Stipe, it seemed the better fighter was Daniel Cormier. He had decisively knocked Stipe out in the first round of their first meeting back in 2018 and was seemingly ahead 2, maybe 3 rounds in most peoples scorecards in the second fight.
But sometime between round 2-4 DC abandoned the strategy and decided to start standing in front of Stipe more and more, lowering his hands lower and lower welcoming a slugfest with one of the most dangerous Heavyweight champions in history. During the fourth round, it was very clear it was a different fight. DC started to slow down and Stipe started to dig at his liver and body over and over. Piece by piece, DC Began to crumble, with each breath heavier than the last. He eventually collapsed under a huge combo climaxed by a big right hand and some follow up strikes to crown Stipe the champion for the second time in his storied career.
DC was not willing to go out that way, but at 41 with one step out of the door, DC understands what is at stake in what he is calling his last fight. Speaking at a press conference Thursday he stated.
“Michael Jordan won with the Bulls when they beat the Jazz. Unfortunately, he came back; I won’t come back. Peyton Manning won a Super Bowl in his last season. It would put me in that type of sphere with the greatest athletes that have ever competed across any sport. So, when I win on Saturday, I will retire in that way.”
Win or lose, DC Wants to go out on top fighting the best and has no desire of letting father time be the one to beat him.
“Most guys in my position, when they’re talking about being done, they’re on the prelims somewhere, or there for some young guy to beat and elevate themselves off their name, That’s not me. I’m fighting to be the best in the world. So Saturday when I win, I’m the best in the world, but you’ve got to be comfortable walking away as the best in the world, or eventually, you’re going to end up on the prelims for somebody to beat you and build off your name. It’s just the way the game works.”
Stipe is just happy to get in there Saturday and get the job done whether he spoils DCs retirement party or not. When speaking at the press conference Thursday Miocic seemed happy to get past this chapter of his career.
“Thank God we’re done with this, It’s been great. We’re done. Rubber match, everyone wants a trilogy, but when it’s all said and done, it’s going to be over. I think it’s always personal whenever you fight, because (your opponent is) trying to do something. They’re trying to beat you. They’re trying to take something away from you.”
Each chapter of the trilogy 🏆
Order the final chapter now: https://t.co/1y7zA3lhOr #UFC252 pic.twitter.com/d2XzVREb3L
— UFC (@ufc) August 13, 2020
He also added ”I’ve got no ill will towards the man, and he’s going to have a good retirement. God bless him, and I wish nothing but the best for him.”
Saturday night history will be made, but in what way remains to be seen. Stipe, who will enter the bout once again the defending Heavyweight champ and has a pro-MMA record of 19-3 (13-3 UFC). He looks to spoil the retirement party of DC and solidify his current spot as arguably the greatest heavyweight of all time.
Daniel Cormier will have something to say about that and he looks to solidify his own spot with a win Saturday night. DC enters the bout with a pro record of 22-2 (11-2 UFC) and it will likely be his last fight as looks to go out on top as arguably the best heavyweight to ever do it.
My prediction: This is one of the hardest fights I have ever had to pick. In the first fight, I picked Stipe confidently and he got knocked out. Second time around I picked DC less confidently and he got knocked out. So this time around instead of picking an exact winner and round I’m just going to say I could see this fight going a few different ways. If DC uses more of his wrestling and sticks to a tighter gameplan he will most likely win a decision or late stoppage. If he gets into another slugfest and tries to play that game with Stipe I see him being slept viciously earlier then last time. My official pick at the moment is Stipe by 3rd round KO/TKO, but this fight is a toss-up. Both guys are two of the best to ever do it and if they fought 10 times it could easily be 5-5, so I won’t pretend to know or insult my readers by predicting this one down to a tee. Just know history goes down Saturday one way or another. You won’t want to miss it.
